We scamper through the leaves, desperately trying to move silently. Ahead, our guide puts her finger to her lips and scans the trail. We freeze. Does she see someone? As our guide cocks her head to listen, we hear an owl hoot. We relax. Our path is clear. Harriet Tubman, Maryland's Moses, waits to lead us to freedom.

My daughter and I walk into the museum building, blinking in the sudden light. Our evening encounter with Harriet Tubman was so realistic that I had to persuade my nine-year-old we were only pretending to be runaway slaves. The slave-catcher who chased us was a really a museum volunteer. One of the "Quaker ladies" who helped us escape was museum director Debbie Wood. Such is the magic of the Chesapeake Children's Museum's award-winning program, "Lead On, Harriet!"

The Chesapeake Children's Museum in Annapolis packs a lot of hands-on learning into a relatively small area. Wood and her staff have created an interactive space where children can experience the Chesapeake Bay region's ecology, history and cultural heritage. An outdoor nature trail showcases Maryland native plants. Local animals, including sharks, insects and toads, share the indoor habitat with museum visitors.

On a recent visit to the museum, my daughter's Girl Scout troop explored New Year's customs from around the world. They made traditional Chinese red envelopes - red for good luck - to give to relatives. In China, children receive gifts of money-filled, red envelopes on New Year's Day. The girls also made spiral-shaped yo-yos from strips of colorful paper and baked honey-glazed bread.

Wood has effectively integrated her understanding of children's learning styles with the mission of the museum. In one corner, children don costumes and act in plays they create themselves. In another area, young "watermen" grab nets and leap from a wooden boat onto a dock, re-creating Maryland's historic relationship with the Chesapeake Bay. There are plenty of age-appropriate toys available for museum visitors of all ages. As a busy - and often tired - mom, I especially appreciate the chairs and benches in each of the learning areas.

The Chesapeake Children's Museum partners with a variety of community organizations to bring programs and discovery opportunities to events throughout the Annapolis area. In August, the museum co-sponsored Camp Kunta Kinte, working with the Banneker-Douglass Museum to provide a four-day African heritage discovery program for school-age children. Local NASA scientists occasionally present solar-themed workshops which complement the Sun-Earth exhibit they established for the museum.

Wood has planned several special programs for the fall months. Preschoolers will enjoy "Art Safari" which takes place Wednesdays in September and October. The museum offers a playgroup for babies and toddlers each Tuesday morning; the playgroup's second session begins October 30. Wood also teaches classes for child care providers at the museum.

If You Go

What: Chesapeake Children's Museum

When: Daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except Wednesdays.

"Lead On, Harriet!" is presented several times during the year. Contact the museum for information on upcoming programs and workshops.

Where: 25 Silopanna Road, Annapolis

For more information, call (410) 990-1993.